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Covenant drop pod: Difference between revisions

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(Merge, until we have more info and/or proper designations for these things.)
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{{References}}
The [[Covenant]] make use of various types of '''drop pods''' for high-altitude troop deployment.<ref name="outskirts">'''Halo 2''', campaign level ''[[Outskirts]]''</ref> Much like the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]]'s [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|Human Entry Vehicle]], the Covenant's orbital insertion pods are used to drop infantry to the planet's surface as shock troops much faster and more efficiently than by means of a [[dropship]].
{{Center|Were you looking for the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] equivalent used by [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]], the [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIV]]?}}
{{Vehicle Infobox
|image=[[File:OIP_main.png|250px]]
|manufacturer=
|line=
|model=
|cost=
|length=
|width=
|height={{Convert|6|m|ft}}
|mass=
|max speed=
|engine=
|hull=
|armament=
|crew=
|complement=One passenger
|consumables=
|othersystems=
|firstuse=
|role=Orbital insertion
|affiliation=[[Covenant]]
}}
The '''orbital insertion pod''' is a single-occupant high-altitude deployment vehicle used by the [[Covenant]]. Upon impact with the ground, the pod's hatch blasts open, revealing the interior and allowing the [[Sangheili]] inside to exit.


== Overview ==
==Types==
When the Covenant conduct ground operations on a planets, they use orbital insertion pods to drop Sangheili to the planet's surface as shock troops. Use of these pods is very hazardous, and is reserved only for critical situations, or when a surprise attack is necessary. The vaguely coffin-shaped pods are small and cramped, with barely enough room for one Sangheili and his weapon, and there appear to be no restraints or other devices inside, save for a control panel in the hatch, which may be used by the occupant to steer the pod. Upon landing, the front of the pod blows off to allow exit.
[[File:OIP.png|thumb|150px|Frontal and rear views of a single occupant pod.]]
The Covenant use several varieties of orbital drop pod. On the most basic level, they can be divided into two main categories: a small, single-occupant pod used by [[Sangheili]], and a larger model which allows the deployment of multiple Covenant troops.


There are several variants of the insertion pod; one is cylindrical, with two tapered, slightly angular ends, while the other is bulkier and ovoid-shaped. It is made of burnished cyan-purple metal, but has an opulent, white interior with a contour that conforms to the physique of a Covenant Sangheili. An [[Heavy orbital insertion pod|even larger variant]] of the pod exists, which allows the deployment of multiple Covenant troops.
===Single-occupant pod===
These vaguely coffin-shaped, six-meter tall pods are small and cramped, with barely enough room for one Sangheili and his weapon. The frontal hatch is equipped with a control panel, which may be used by the occupant to steer the pod. Upon impact with the ground, the pod's hatch blasts open, revealing the interior and allowing the occupant to exit.<ref name="lnos">'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]''</ref>


== Appearances ==
There are several variants of the insertion pod; one is cylindrical, with two tapered, slightly angular ends,<ref name="outskirts"/> while the other is bulkier and ovoid-shaped. It is made of burnished cyan-purple metal, but has an opulent, white interior with a contour that conforms to the physique of a Sangheili.<ref name="lnos"/>
These pods made their first appearance in the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo]], where the Elites came down and openly challenged John-117 with their [[energy sword]]s. In the games, they first appear in the ''Halo 2''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Outskirts]] and subsequently are present around [[Mombasa]]. They also appear in the campaign levels [[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]], [[Quarantine Zone(level)|Quarantine Zone]], and [[Uprising]], occupied by allies of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]].
{{Clear}}
[[File:ODP.jpg|thumb|150px|A type of multiple-troop drop pod used during the [[Fall of Reach]].]]
===Multiple-occupant pod===
Significantly larger than the single-occupant model, the multiple occupant drop pod has the capacity to deploy at least four Covenant warriors into battle.  


They also appear in the ''Halo 3''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Floodgate]], sent by the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' to aid John-117 and Thel 'Vadam against the [[Flood]] infestation in [[Voi]]. The impact is hard enough to break the occupying Elite's energy shield once it hits the ground.
The pod has a pyramidal shape, with a large hatch on each of the three sides. The pod is released from a ship, and freefalls through the atmosphere the same way the single-occupant version. When the pod is nearing the ground, it fires three engines which are in the corners on the bottom of the pod to slow it down. The engines continue to slow the pod, until it reaches the ground. The hatches on the three sides of the pod start to open when the pod is several meters above ground. There are several glowing emitters on the floor of the pod; it is possible that these produce a [[stasis field]] to protect its occupants.


They make a return in ''Halo: Reach'', in which they appear to be more rounded and bulky than the previous versions. A [[Heavy orbital insertion pod|multiple-troop variant]] of the pod is also introduced in ''Reach''; along with appearances in the campaign, these pods are frequently used by the Covenant in the game's [[Firefight]] mode. In the campaign level [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]], the Covenant corvette ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' launches dozens of drop pods, which are destructible if the player can reach them in time. Destroying the pods, however, does not award kills or points.
The [[Covenant remnant|reformed Covenant]], active following the end of the Human-Covenant War, makes use of at least two different varieties of the multiple-troop insertion pod; the first is a four-occupant pod similar in size to the variant used by the original Covenant, whereas the second is a much larger, reusable variant which drops numerous troops from low altitude before flying back to the host vessel.
{{Clear}}
== In the games ==
[[File:CovDropPod Full.jpg|thumb|250px|A group of pods land in [[New Mombasa]] in the [[Halo 2 E3 demo|''Halo 2'' E3 demo]].]]
The single-occupant pods were the sole variety of Covenant drop pod featured in the games until ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', which introduced the multiple-troop version. The pods made their first appearance in the [[Halo 2 E3 Demo]], where the Elites came down and openly challenged John-117 with their [[energy sword]]s. In the games, they first appear in the ''Halo 2''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Outskirts]] and subsequently are present around [[Mombasa]]. They also appear in the campaign levels [[Sacred Icon (level)|Sacred Icon]], [[Quarantine Zone(level)|Quarantine Zone]], and [[Uprising]], occupied by allies of the [[Thel 'Vadam|Arbiter]].


==Trivia==
They also appear in the ''Halo 3''<nowiki />'s campaign level [[Floodgate]], sent by the ''[[Shadow of Intent]]'' to aid John-117 and Thel 'Vadam against the [[Flood]] infestation in [[Voi]]. The impact is hard enough to break the occupying Elite's energy shield once it hits the ground. In ''Halo 3'', [[Drop Pod glitch|one may enter the pods]] on the level Floodgate when playing on [[cooperative play]] as the second, third, or fourth player (an Elite), provided the pods are not shot at all. If the player approaches one and holds the Right Bumper, he can jump into the pod, as if it were a vehicle.
*In ''Halo 3'', [[Drop Pod glitch|one may enter the pods]] on the level Floodgate when playing on [[cooperative play]] as the second, third, or fourth player (a Sangheili), provided the pods are not shot at all. If the player approaches one and holds the Right Bumper, he can jump into the pod, as if it were a vehicle.
 
*The appearance of the drop pod changed dramatically from the [[Halo: Reach E3 Campaign Demo|E3 2010 demo]] to its launch version. In the E3 demo it appeared to be more boxy and angular, while the launch version is smoother, more detailed and is more like a wider version of the the one from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
The Covenant drop pods make a return in ''Halo: Reach'', in which they appear more rounded and bulky than the previous versions. The appearance of the drop pod changed dramatically from the [[Halo: Reach E3 Campaign Demo|E3 2010 demo]] to its launch version. In the E3 demo it appeared to be more boxy and angular, while the launch version is smoother, more detailed and is more like a wider version of the the one from ''[[Halo 2]]''.
*The ''Halo: Reach'' daily challenge "Pod Kettle Black" is completed by destroying ten drop pods on the level [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]. Interestingly, colliding with or ramming an insertion pod will destroy a fully-shielded [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] and kill the player, despite the fact that the Sabre will typically survive a similar collision with a [[Type-27 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Banshee]] or [[Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Seraph]]. The death will register as "Collision Damage" and the player will receive a "Collision Damage" kill, but will not receive a [[Splatter Medal]].
 
In the campaign level [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]], the Covenant corvette ''[[Ardent Prayer]]'' launches dozens of drop pods, which are destructible if the player can reach them in time. Destroying the pods, however, does not award kills or points. The daily challenge "Pod Kettle Black" is completed by destroying ten drop pods on the level [[Long Night of Solace (level)|Long Night of Solace]]. Interestingly, colliding with or ramming an insertion pod will destroy a fully-shielded [[YSS-1000 Sabre|Sabre]] and kill the player, despite the fact that the Sabre will typically survive a similar collision with a [[Type-27 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Banshee]] or [[Type-31 Exoatmospheric Multi-role Fighter|Seraph]]. The death will register as "Collision Damage" and the player will receive a "Collision Damage" kill, but will not receive a [[Splatter Medal]].
 
The multiple-troop variant of the pod is introduced in ''Reach''; along with appearances in the campaign, these pods are frequently used by the Covenant in the game's [[Firefight]] mode. The multiple-occupant pod is referred to as a "teleportation drop pod" in the ''Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide'', although it does demonstrate teleportation abilities in-game. In ''Halo: Reach'', it is possible to be killed by the multiple-occupant drop pod. It is also possible to get stuck at the top of the pod as the doors open. One can also get [[Trapped in Drop Pod Glitch|trapped inside the pod]] through a glitch.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Single-occupant pod===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Concept - elite pod.jpg|Concept art of the orbital insertion pod for ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Concept - elite pod.jpg|Concept art of the drop pod for ''Halo: Reach''.
File:CovDropPod Full.jpg|A group of pods land on Earth in the ''Halo 2'' E3 demo.
File:ElitePod.jpg|An Covenant insertion pod as seen in ''Halo 2''.
File:ElitePod.jpg|An orbital insertion pod as seen in ''Halo 2''.
File:50829459-Full.jpg|A [[Special Operation Sangheili|SpecOps Elite]] about to emerge out of his drop pod and fight against the Flood.
File:50829459-Full.jpg|A [[Special Operation Elite|SpecOps Elite]] about to emerge out of his drop pod and fight against the Flood.
File:51337064-Full.jpg|The Arbiter sitting in a drop pod.
File:51337064-Full.jpg|The Arbiter sitting in a drop pod.
File:Pod_22.jpg|An orbital insertion pod in the ''Halo: Reach'' E3 2010 demo.
File:Pod_22.jpg|An orbital insertion pod in the ''Halo: Reach'' E3 2010 demo.
File:Reach - Drop Pod.png|An overview design of orbital insertion pod from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Reach - Drop Pod.png|An overview design of a drop pod from ''Halo: Reach''.
File:OIP.png|Frontal and rear views of an orbital insertion pod in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:OIP_main.png|One type of single-occupant drop pod.
File:OIP_interior.png|The interior of an orbital insertion pod.
File:OIP_interior.png|The interior of a drop pod.
File:OIP hatch.png|The interior of the hatch of an orbital insertion pod.
File:OIP hatch.png|The interior of the hatch of a pod.
File:OIP impact.jpg|An orbital insertion pod impacts the ground.
File:OIP impact.jpg|An orbital insertion pod impacts the ground.
File:Reach 364761 Full.jpg|A Sangheili stepping out of an orbital insertion pod.
File:Reach 364761 Full.jpg|A Sangheili stepping out of a drop pod.
File:Reach 16721238 Full.jpg|Pods being dropped from a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]].
File:Reach 16721238 Full.jpg|Pods being dropped from a [[SDV-class heavy corvette|Covenant corvette]].
File:Reach 596815 Medium.jpg|Another view of drop pods being dropped from a Covenant corvette.
File:Reach 596815 Medium.jpg|Another view of drop pods being dropped from a Covenant corvette.
File:Insertion pod attack.jpg|A [[YSS-1000 Sabre]] attacks orbital insertion pods during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
File:Insertion pod attack.jpg|A [[YSS-1000 Sabre]] attacks Covenant drop pods during [[Operation: UPPER CUT]].
</gallery>
 
===Multiple-occupant pod===
<gallery>
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-01.jpg|A multiple troop pod touching down.
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-02.jpg|Unggoy inside a multi-occupant drop pod.
File:HReach-HOIP-DropPod-03.jpg|An empty drop pod.
File:Reach 7544910 Full.jpg|A player trapped inside the multiple-occupant pod.
</gallery>
</gallery>


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**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Invasion|Invasion]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
<references/>
==Related pages==
*[[Heavy orbital insertion pod]]
[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]
[[Category:Covenant Vehicles]]

Revision as of 08:40, August 25, 2013

The Covenant make use of various types of drop pods for high-altitude troop deployment.[1] Much like the UNSC's Human Entry Vehicle, the Covenant's orbital insertion pods are used to drop infantry to the planet's surface as shock troops much faster and more efficiently than by means of a dropship.

Types

File:OIP.png
Frontal and rear views of a single occupant pod.

The Covenant use several varieties of orbital drop pod. On the most basic level, they can be divided into two main categories: a small, single-occupant pod used by Sangheili, and a larger model which allows the deployment of multiple Covenant troops.

Single-occupant pod

These vaguely coffin-shaped, six-meter tall pods are small and cramped, with barely enough room for one Sangheili and his weapon. The frontal hatch is equipped with a control panel, which may be used by the occupant to steer the pod. Upon impact with the ground, the pod's hatch blasts open, revealing the interior and allowing the occupant to exit.[2]

There are several variants of the insertion pod; one is cylindrical, with two tapered, slightly angular ends,[1] while the other is bulkier and ovoid-shaped. It is made of burnished cyan-purple metal, but has an opulent, white interior with a contour that conforms to the physique of a Sangheili.[2]

File:ODP.jpg
A type of multiple-troop drop pod used during the Fall of Reach.

Multiple-occupant pod

Significantly larger than the single-occupant model, the multiple occupant drop pod has the capacity to deploy at least four Covenant warriors into battle.

The pod has a pyramidal shape, with a large hatch on each of the three sides. The pod is released from a ship, and freefalls through the atmosphere the same way the single-occupant version. When the pod is nearing the ground, it fires three engines which are in the corners on the bottom of the pod to slow it down. The engines continue to slow the pod, until it reaches the ground. The hatches on the three sides of the pod start to open when the pod is several meters above ground. There are several glowing emitters on the floor of the pod; it is possible that these produce a stasis field to protect its occupants.

The reformed Covenant, active following the end of the Human-Covenant War, makes use of at least two different varieties of the multiple-troop insertion pod; the first is a four-occupant pod similar in size to the variant used by the original Covenant, whereas the second is a much larger, reusable variant which drops numerous troops from low altitude before flying back to the host vessel.

In the games

File:CovDropPod Full.jpg
A group of pods land in New Mombasa in the Halo 2 E3 demo.

The single-occupant pods were the sole variety of Covenant drop pod featured in the games until Halo: Reach, which introduced the multiple-troop version. The pods made their first appearance in the Halo 2 E3 Demo, where the Elites came down and openly challenged John-117 with their energy swords. In the games, they first appear in the Halo 2's campaign level Outskirts and subsequently are present around Mombasa. They also appear in the campaign levels Sacred Icon, Quarantine Zone, and Uprising, occupied by allies of the Arbiter.

They also appear in the Halo 3's campaign level Floodgate, sent by the Shadow of Intent to aid John-117 and Thel 'Vadam against the Flood infestation in Voi. The impact is hard enough to break the occupying Elite's energy shield once it hits the ground. In Halo 3, one may enter the pods on the level Floodgate when playing on cooperative play as the second, third, or fourth player (an Elite), provided the pods are not shot at all. If the player approaches one and holds the Right Bumper, he can jump into the pod, as if it were a vehicle.

The Covenant drop pods make a return in Halo: Reach, in which they appear more rounded and bulky than the previous versions. The appearance of the drop pod changed dramatically from the E3 2010 demo to its launch version. In the E3 demo it appeared to be more boxy and angular, while the launch version is smoother, more detailed and is more like a wider version of the the one from Halo 2.

In the campaign level Long Night of Solace, the Covenant corvette Ardent Prayer launches dozens of drop pods, which are destructible if the player can reach them in time. Destroying the pods, however, does not award kills or points. The daily challenge "Pod Kettle Black" is completed by destroying ten drop pods on the level Long Night of Solace. Interestingly, colliding with or ramming an insertion pod will destroy a fully-shielded Sabre and kill the player, despite the fact that the Sabre will typically survive a similar collision with a Banshee or Seraph. The death will register as "Collision Damage" and the player will receive a "Collision Damage" kill, but will not receive a Splatter Medal.

The multiple-troop variant of the pod is introduced in Reach; along with appearances in the campaign, these pods are frequently used by the Covenant in the game's Firefight mode. The multiple-occupant pod is referred to as a "teleportation drop pod" in the Halo: Reach Official Strategy Guide, although it does demonstrate teleportation abilities in-game. In Halo: Reach, it is possible to be killed by the multiple-occupant drop pod. It is also possible to get stuck at the top of the pod as the doors open. One can also get trapped inside the pod through a glitch.

Gallery

Single-occupant pod

  • Concept - elite pod.jpg

    Concept art of the drop pod for Halo: Reach.

  • ElitePod.jpg

    An Covenant insertion pod as seen in Halo 2.

  • 50829459-Full.jpg

    A SpecOps Elite about to emerge out of his drop pod and fight against the Flood.

  • 51337064-Full.jpg

    The Arbiter sitting in a drop pod.

  • Pod 22.jpg

    An orbital insertion pod in the Halo: Reach E3 2010 demo.

  • Reach - Drop Pod.png

    An overview design of a drop pod from Halo: Reach.

  • OIP main.png

    One type of single-occupant drop pod.

  • OIP interior.png

    The interior of a drop pod.

  • OIP hatch.png

    The interior of the hatch of a pod.

  • OIP impact.jpg

    An orbital insertion pod impacts the ground.

  • Reach 364761 Full.jpg

    A Sangheili stepping out of a drop pod.

  • Reach 16721238 Full.jpg

    Pods being dropped from a Covenant corvette.

  • Reach 596815 Medium.jpg

    Another view of drop pods being dropped from a Covenant corvette.

  • Insertion pod attack.jpg

    A YSS-1000 Sabre attacks Covenant drop pods during Operation: UPPER CUT.

Multiple-occupant pod

  • A multiple troop pod touching down.

    A multiple troop pod touching down.

  • Unggoy inside a multi-occupant drop pod.

    Unggoy inside a multi-occupant drop pod.

  • An empty drop pod.

    An empty drop pod.

  • Reach 7544910 Full.jpg

    A player trapped inside the multiple-occupant pod.

List of appearances

Sources

  1. ^ a b Halo 2, campaign level Outskirts
  2. ^ a b Halo: Reach, campaign level Long Night of Solace
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